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The Revolutionary War
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Overview When the Americans declared their independence, it meant that the rebellion against British law and British treatment of the colonies would become a war for independence. At stake: the freedom of a new nation founded on liberty and equality. So how did the colonies measure up to Great Britain when it came to waging war???
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Population United States Great Britain
By the time the war started in America, the United States had 2.5 million people Great Britain Britain had a population of 8 million – though most would not get involved in the Revolutionary War
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Choosing Sides United States Great Britain Neutral
Colonists who believed in independence were called Patriots (also Whigs or Rebels) About 1/3 of the colonists fell into this category Great Britain Colonists who wanted to remain loyal to Great Britain were called Loyalists (also Tories or Redcoats) About 1/3 of the colonists fell into this category Neutral Colonists who couldn’t or didn’t want to choose sides were called Neutral About 1/3 of the colonists fell into this category
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Armies United States Great Britain
The Colonial Army never had more than 18,500 men, often less State Militias had about 230,000, but never at one time or place French sent *8000 after 1778 African-Americans *5000 Native Americans – 2 Iroquois Tribes; few others Women – A few disguised as men, some who helped the fighting by loading weapons or carrying water – Camp Followers Great Britain British Army had 50,000 regulars, never at one place or time German Mercenaries (Hessians) hired by King George III had 30,000 – many stayed in America after the war Loyalists about 50,000 African-Americans – some slaves fought in return for their freedom Native Americans – 3 Iroquois tribes and most others
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Navies United States Great Britain
Had 13 frigates, 40 merchantmen; more than 2000 privateers French and Spanish by 1781 sent about 350 ships Great Britain By 1781 had about 460 ships
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Military Leaders United States Great Britain
George Washington – Commander in Chief General Benedict Arnold (traitor in 1779) General Horatio Gates General Nathanael Greene General Henry Knox General Charles Lee General Benjamin Lincoln Commodore Esek Hopkins Great Britain General William Howe – Commander in Chief General Henry Clinton – Commander in Chief General Charles Cornwallis General John Burgoyne Admiral Richard Howe (brother of William) Admiral George Rodney
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Military Help Great Britain United States Germans hired by the British
General Frederick von Riedesal Colonel Johann Rall United States French allies sent LG Comte de Rochambeau VA Comte d’Estaing Admiral Comte de Grasse Foreign Volunteers Marquis de LaFayette (FR) Gen. Baron de Kalb (GE) Col. Thaddeus Kosciusko (Pol) Gen. Count Pulaski (Pol) Gen. Baron von Steuben (Prussian)
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Advantages United States Great Britain Outstanding Leadership
Washington inspired courage Strong Motivation Fighting for freedom to think and govern themselves Fighting on home ground Knew the territory Experienced officers From F/I War Superiority of American rifles Made by Germans, better range and accuracy Sharp-shooters Due to frontier experiences Great Britain Military Power Strongest army/navy in world, equipped, trained, and disciplined Superior Numbers Outnumbered in most battles Indian Support Didn’t want to lose more land to white settlers Loyalist Cooperation Enemies among friends Hefty War Chest Enough money to hire GM Bright Red Uniforms Took pride in appearance
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Disadvantages United States Great Britain
Inexperienced army and militia Most militiamen farmers, not trained or disciplined Short enlistments Usually 3-12 months Brand new navy Few ships to defend coast Constant shortages Money, arms, food, clothing, medicine Near bankrupt treasury Congress printed paper money with no value (no gold to back) Loyalist warfare Often neighbor vs. neighbor Great Britain Weak motivation No cause of theirs Unaggressive officers Failed to press advantages 3000 miles from home Poor communications, hard to supply 1500 mile enemy coastline Hard to blockade Vast land Conquer, hard to hold Easy targets Red uniforms, fight in ranks European aid to Americans Fighting European enemies
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Overview United States Great Britain
Goal – preserve the Continental Army, wear down Brits until they give up and leave Strategy – Hit and Run! Avoid battles, avoid capture – the only victory important is the last one Tactics – Guerilla tactics learned from Indians (surprise raids, fight from behind trees) Great Britain Goal – Force Continental Army to surrender, restore British control of colonies Strategy – Capture seaports then divide and conquer. Isolate then seize 1) New England, 2) Middle, 3) South Tactics – Conventional 18th century war tactics; frontal attacks in closed ranks
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